Acknowledgments

If a book is a labor of love, then there must be a "coach" to help one through the process. In my case, I am lucky enough to have a variety of coaches who have been there with me every step of the way. First, in a very real sense, my students over the years have provided a foundation for this book. Even before I knew I was going to produce this work, my students provided an environment in which I could experiment and learn about decisions, decision making and decision support systems. It is their interest, their inquisitiveness and their challenge that have lead me to think through these topics in a manner that allowed me to write this book. I have particular gratitude to Mary Kay Carragher, Mimi Duncan, Joseph Hofer, Timothy McCaffrey, Richard Ritthamel, and Phillip Wells for their efforts in support of this book.

Second, there are numerous people at John Wiley and Sons who helped me achieve my vision for this book. I am grateful to each one for his or her efforts and contribution. In particular, I would like to thank my editor, Beth Lang Golub, who believed in this project long before I did, continued to have faith in it when mine wore thin and was willing to stand by decisions because she believed they were right. I could not have produced this book without her. In addition, I want to thank Elisa Adams, my style editor who helped to make my ideas accessible through direct and constructive changes in the prose.

Third, I would like to thank the following faculty reviewers who reviewed drafts of the chapters and provided superb comments to improve its style and content.

Thomas E. Sandman, California State University - Sacramento

Brother Matthew Michelini, Manhattan College

Jane Fedorowicz, Bentley College

George Federman, Santa Barbara City College

Charles Butler, Colorado State University

Bruce White, Dakota State University

Robert J. Berger, University of Maryland

Jim Courtney, Texas A&M

Richard Irving, York University

T.M. Rajkumar, Miami University

Robert T. Sumichrast, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Linda Volonino, Canisius College

Lawrence A. West, Jr., Florida State University

Madjid Tavana, LaSalle University

Theresa M. Vitolo, Penn State University

Finally, I want to thank my friends and family for their support, encouragement and patience. My husband, Joseph Martinich, has been with me every step of the way -- not only with this book, but in my entire career. I sincerely doubt that I could have done any of it without him. My son, Michael Martinich-Sauter, has demonstrated infinite patience with his mother throughout this project. More important, he has inspired me to look at every topic differently and more creatively. I have learned much about decisions, decision making and decision support from him and I am most grateful he has shared his wisdom with me. Finally, I want to acknowledge Lady Alexandra (a.k.a. Alex -- the dog) who has made me laugh when I really needed it.

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